Republic of San Marco

The Republic of San Marco was an Italian revolutionary state that existed from 22 March 1848 to 27 August 1849 during the Venetian Revolution of 1848. The republic was proclaimed on 22 March 1848 by Daniele Manin, an anti-Austrian politician who sought to revive the Republic of Venice; the new republic's motto was "Long live San Marco!", the patron saint of Venice. The republic gave Manin dictatorial powers due to the state of emergency, and the republic sought to court the friendship of Sardinia-Piedmont by toning down its republican fanaticism. However, the defeat of the Sardinians at Custoza in July 1848 allowed for the Austrian army to crush the Republic of San Marco, forcing Manin to surrender in August 1849. Venetia would remain a part of Austria until 1866.